Abstract
Academic libraries have traditionally provided computers for students to access their collections and, more recently, facilitate all aspects of studying. Recent changes in technology, particularly the increased presence of mobile devices, calls into question how libraries can best provide technology support and how it might impact the use of other library services. A two-year study conducted at California State University San Marcos library analyzed student use of the computers in the library, both the library’s own desktop computers and laptops owned by students. The results found that, despite the increased ownership of mobile technology by students, they still clearly preferred to use desktop computers in the library. It also showed that students who used computers in the library were more likely to use other library services and physical collections.
Highlights
For more than thirty years, it has been standard practice in libraries to provide some type of computer facility to assist students in their research
How did the increase in student ownership of mobile devices— at more than 80 percent—affect the use of the desktop computers? did providing an application-rich computer environment encourage student to conduct more of their studying in the library, leading them more frequently to use traditional library collections and services? This article will focus on the study results pertaining to the second and third research questions
Very few desktop computers were available, so students desiring to study on these floors have to bring their own laptops
Summary
For more than thirty years, it has been standard practice in libraries to provide some type of computer facility to assist students in their research. The focus was on providing access to library resources, first the online catalog and journal databases. For the past decade or so, this has expanded to general-use computers, often in an information-commons environment, capable of supporting all aspects of student research from original resource discovery to creation of the final paper or other research product. Times are changing and the ready access to mobile technology has brought into question whether libraries need to or should continue to provide dedicated desktop computers. Do students still use and value access to computers in the library? Have we reached the point where we should reevaluate how we use computers to support student research?. Rather than viewing technology’s role as just supporting access to library resources, we expanded its role to providing cradle-to-grave support for the entire research process. We felt that encouraging students to work in the library would encourage use of traditional library materials and the expertise of library staff, since these resources would be readily available.[1]
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